State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: 18/04/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold pendant, to:
"B" Company, New South Wales Imperial Bushmen –
813 Private Archibald Granville NELMES
Presentation made by Mr W. Wrightson, on behalf of fellow employees of the Newcastle Tramway Department, at the Shortland Hotel.
Inscribed: "Presented to Trooper Nelmes by the tramway employees, on the occasion of his departure for the Transvaal war. 18/4/1900".
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Newcastle Morning Herald, 19th April 1900
BOUND FOR THE TRANSVAAL.
A large party, chiefly composed of tramway employees, met at the Shortland Hotel last night, for the purpose of saying goodbye to Mr A.G. NELMES, recently employed in the Tramway Department, and who is proceeding to South Africa as a member of the Bushmen's Contingent, which sails from Sydney on Monday next. The chair was occupied by Mr Murray (District Superintendent), who in a brief speech explained the object of the gathering. Mr W. Wrightson then presented Trooper NELMES with a handsome gold pendant, bearing the following inscription: – "Presented to Trooper Nelmes by the tramway employees, on the occasion of his departure for the Transvaal war. 18/4/1900". In making the presentation, Mr Wrightson said the present was a unanimous expression from the tramway employees, who regarded it an honour that one of their number should. be chosen for the Bushmen's Contingent. On behalf of those present, he wished Mr NELMES every success, and ultimately a safe return to Newcastle. Mr Frank Turner proposed the toast of '"Our Guest this evening". Trooper NELMES, in responding, expressed the hope that he would be able to do credit to the tramway employees in South Africa. During the evening various songs, recitations, &c., were rendered. Among others, Mr Baldwin sang "Let me like a soldier fall" and "The Death of Nelson", Mr Fulton sang "Leicester Square", Mr Atkinson "Stand by the Old Flag", Mr Walker "Sentenced to Death", Mr Wilson "When the Empire calls", Mr Sullivan "A Warrior Bold", Mr Walker "Soldiers of the Queen", Mr G. Nelmes "That's Mine". Mr C. Nelmes recited "Jephta's Vow", and Mr R. Nelmes "Asleep at the Switch". Mr Wrightson rendered a pianoforte selection, "Relief of Lucknow", and Mr Moody played a set of waltz tunes of his own composing. Mr Tyrell acted as accompanist throughout.
